The Blue Mountains Aboriginal Culture and Resource Centre has a new board.
The members are Aunties Coralie Richmond, Charmain Tully and Elle Begg and Uncles Brian Bell, Ian Frape and Robert Harvey.
Aunty Coralie, a Dharug woman, was born in Leura and educated in the Blue Mountains. She trained in education at Sydney Teachers college, East Sydney Tech, Sydney University and at TAFE, and has taught in a variety of schools.
She has also been a federation representative, run personal development classes and taken and organised huge skiing tours.
Uncle Brian was born in Guildford and his ancestors are from the Biripi and Woremi Nations.
He worked for the Commonwealth Bank for several years, at a BP garage and then for Rothmans.
Uncle Brian commenced writing poetry in 1992 and has won various national and international contests.
He has a history of guest performance at various Rotary clubs, View clubs, Lions clubs, Motorhome clubs and local radio shows.
Uncle Brian is very proud of his two children and four grandchildren.
Uncle Ian Frape is a proud Wiradjuri man from the Bathurst region, the eternal lands and Dreaming of the Wiradjuri nation.
In recent years he has worked as a teacher at Katoomba High School following many years spent teaching in the Mount Druitt area and in teaching and administration with Wesley Central Mission, Bankstown City Aged Care and the Australian and Papua New Guinea governments.
Uncle Robert Harvey was born in Adelaide. A Narungga elder, he has lived in Sydney for many years and in the Blue Mountains for the last 15 years.
After leaving school Robert worked in the retail sector until being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He then moved to the Mountains for health reasons.
He is a keen photographer and has completed a diploma of photography and photo imaging at TAFE.
He can be contacted on 0437 699 639 or rob1969robertharvey@outlook.com.au.
Aunty Charmaine joined the ACRC Board in February 2015 and has a degree in administrative leadership. She is a Dunghutti woman who has lived in the Mountains for over 30 years and her mother is a valued elder on the Central Coast.
Aunty Charmaine is currently employed as a high school teacher and is very involved in the education of Aboriginal students in the Mountains.
Aunty Elle is a Wiradjuri first nation elder and has been involved with the Blue Mountains Aboriginal Culture and Resource Centre as a director on the board and as a community member for many years. She is also a director of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee to Katoomba council.
Aunty Elle became a nurse and later, an academic obtaining a degree from the university of New England. Aunty now studies law to help all First Nation descendants.
She can be contacted on 0434 468 670 or ellenbegg@gmail.com.
